It's an effort to get Detroit public schools and the neighborhoods around them to work together. State and local leaders have a plan to keep students safer between home and the classroom.
We asked student Danetria Jones-Davis where there have ever been times when she felt unsafe coming to school?
"Actually, yes, there have been times I have felt unsafe," she said. "Actually, this whole year I have been getting rides to school."
Thursday, the governor, the mayor and DPS emergency manager Roy Roberts announced a plan they believe will make students like Jones-Davis feel safe as they travel to and from school.
They're launching a comprehensive program that includes demolishing dangerous abandoned homes and improving others with the help of community members and partners.
The state is also launching a program called "Pathways to Potential," which will put social workers inside neighborhood schools at family resource centers.
"The reinvention of Detroit is not waiting to happen. It is happening," said Governor Rick Snyder.
"It's about rehabilitating homes, turning the streetlights on and making sure that our children can walk to and from school safely," said Mayor Dave Bing.
The program will focus on neighborhoods surrounding nine Detroit schools chosen based on demographics and strong student and parental involvement. J.E. Clark Preparatory Academy is one of them.
"I truly believe that if one were writing the history of Detroit public schools, today would be the first page of its most hopeful chapter," Roberts said.
"It makes me feel humble and appreciative to be able to walk around and walk to school and from school in a safe environment," said Jones-Davis.
But will the city and the state be able to effectively work together to make this program a success for the long haul? Both Mayor Bing and Governor Snyder say yes, and with so many bright futures at stake, we hope they're right.
"Isn't this the right thing to do? Let's just use common sense and get something done, and that's what today is," said Snyder.
Monday, June 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-06-18 03:31:06 GMT
Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr is working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
As Kevyn Orr tries to solve Detroit's financial crisis, he is also working on improving city services, including the streetlights. More than 40 percent of them do not work, but the Detroit Public Lighting Authority is now beginning its work.
Friday, June 14 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-06-15 02:25:13 GMT
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
A team led by a state-appointed emergency manager said Friday that Detroit is defaulting on about $2.5 billion in unsecured debt and is asking creditors to take about 10 cents on the dollar of what the city owes them.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:38 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:38:44 GMT
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
After initially defying federal regulators, Chrysler abruptly agreed Tuesday to recall some older-model Jeeps with fuel tanks that could rupture and cause fires in rear-end collisions.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:29 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:29:11 GMT
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
An angry pastor is trying to keep his cool. He is mad at whoever tore apart his air conditioning unit to steal the copper, but he also says the entire community shares the blame.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:46 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:46:58 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:26:33 GMT
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
The latest dig in the search for former Teamsters' boss Jimmy Hoffa will resume on Wednesday in an Oakland Township field. So far, crews have found two concrete slabs and animal bones.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:54 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:54:19 GMT
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Who will open for Bon Jovi at Ford Field on July 18? Your vote will decide. 20 bands left in the Fox Rocks contest. Voting period: Now through July 10. Time to 'Fox Rocks' the vote.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:44 GMT
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport officials evacuated a section of the McNamara Terminal Tuesday morning after a canine picked up the scent of explosives on the apron, where planes load.
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